WomenSafe Shayna Jackson, Executive Director P.O. Box 656 Chardon, Ohio 44024 440-285-2222 Ext. 5680 What is WomenSafe? WomenSafe provides emergency shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence in Northeast Ohio. WomenSafe is a non-profit organization that offers 24-hour crisis management, shelter, advocacy, information, counseling, therapy, education, referrals and support to victims of domestic violence. All Services are free of charge. For Immediate Assistance Call: Copeline: 1-888-285-5665 24-Hour Crisis Management TDD/TTY Use Ohio Relay @ 1-800-750-0750 Contact Us: Shayna L. Jackson, LSW, MSSA Executive Director WomenSafe, Inc.

Chardon, OH- WomenSafe's mission is to provide emergency shelter and support services for victims of domestic violence in Northeast Ohio. WomenSafe facilitates an 8-week support group to women currently or previously in an abusive relationship.

Participants may be victims of emotional, physical, verbal, sexual and/or financial abuse and it is not necessary to have used other WomenSafe services to participate. As with all WomenSafe services, this 8-week group is provided free of charge and free childcare is also available. Some victims of domestic violence attend support groups almost immediately and some wait for years. Others are still in abusive situations, while several have found safe, independent living.

"It is natural to feel a bit uneasy going to the first support group," explains Co-facilitator Chris Hutton. WomenSafe's support group allows women to reach out to other victims and realize they are not alone! Jennifer, a survivor of domestic violence who completed WomenSafe's support group states, "The support group allowed me to realize I was not crazy, since that was all my abuser had been telling me for years. I learned domestic violence could happen to anyone. We [participants of the group] were a diverse group, with one thing in common: we did not want to live with the abuse anymore."

If you would like more information or to register for WomenSafe's support group, please contact 440-285-2222 ext. 5680. If you are in crisis and in need of immediate support call COPEline 24-hours a day at 888-285-5665.

Services/Program Descriptions

Emergency Shelter - WomenSafe offers shelter to survivors of domestic violence throughout northeastern Ohio. The shelter is a safe comforting environment where victims begin to heal, receive counseling, consider alternatives and develop goals for an abuse-free life. All basic necessities are provided to residents. While at the shelter, case management is provided to assist survivors with individual goals through support, education and an explanation of community resources.

Copeline - by calling this 24-hour support and crisis management hotline, victims of domestic violence receive support, access to shelter and services as well as information and referrals to community resources. The hotline is also recommended for friends and family who need more information about domestic violence, WomenSafe services and how to help a person in need.

Community Support Program - Domestic violence professionals assist clients in developing and accomplishing personal goals and life skills. Clients are linked to community resources based on their individual goals and needs.

Diagnostic Assessment - Licensed mental health professionals complete assessments and use the information to determine the needs, strengths, and services to be provided to each client.

Outreach Counseling - Clinical staff provide individual counseling in a secure confidential location to any person victimized by domestic violence. Counselors aid survivors in the exploration of new alternatives for living. Counseling is offered to both resident and nonresident.

Peer Support Group - A 10 week support group, facilitated by a licensed mental health professional, provides victims of domestic violence a safe place to gain strength and support from others in similar situations. The sessions are designed to recognize, express, and accept feelings related to experiencing an abusive relationship as well as provided information about domestic violence.

Art Therapy - Art therapy provides a non-threatening approach to process feelings and issues surrounding family violence. Art allows survivors to express a range of emotions through creative self-expression. The art therapist offers this service to adults and children ages five and older.

Court Advocacy - Court advocates accompanying survivors of domestic violence through the court process explaining legal entitlement and implications of legal proceedings. Advocates provide crisis intervention and emotional support as victims seek assistance from the judicial system.

Hospital Advocacy - Face-to-face support and crisis intervention is available to hospital patients who have experienced domestic violence.

Relocation Assistance - Any client who uses WomenSafe services is offered household items to assist in establishing and maintaining independent living.

Reestablishment Services - After addressing the immediate needs of clients, WomenSafe staff continues to provide survivors with long-term support in living life free from violence.

Community Education - To build community awareness, WomenSafe offers presentations to the general public, schools, businesses, agencies, churches and senior and youth organizations learn about abuse-free dating, dynamics of domestic violence, date rape, elder abuse, effects of domestic violence of children, how to asses domestic violence and how you can help someone who is being abused.

Training of professionals - WomenSafe provides comprehensive training for task force members, prosecutors, judges, physicians, nurses, social service providers, teachers, day care providers, therapists, mental health personnel, assisted living aids, and social workers. These trainings are provided to increase effectiveness in the social workers. These trainings are provided to increase effectiveness in the assessment, understanding and identification of domestic violence. Appropriate means of intervention and community resources are discussed for survivors and their children.

Every year...

• WomenSafe provides shelter to more than 50 families.
• Over 300 victims receive counseling peer support and court advocacy s services.
• Educational presentations are presented to over 2,000 audience members.
• Advocates respond to 1,500 crisis calls

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic Violence is a pattern of physical, emotional, and coerced behaviors that one family member uses to exercise power and control over another. Most perpetrators of abuse and battering are a spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or lover. Most often victims of abuse are women and children although men are abused also. The abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial and psychological.

Types of abuse include:

Children Who Live With Domestic
Violence, Often:

• Appear sad, fearful, depressed and/or anxious
• Are aggressively defiant or passively compliant
• Have limited tolerance for frustration and stress
• Become isolated and withdrawn
• Are at risk for drug and alcohol abuse, sexual acting out, running away
• Have poor impulse control
• Feel powerless
• Have low self-esteem
• Assume parental roles

GENERAL SAFETY PLAN

1. Identify a variety of ways to get out of your home safely and practice your escape methods. Helpful hints:
   • During an explosive incident, try to stay in a room with access to an exit
   • Try to sit in a room with a phone to call 911
   • Inform law enforcement if weapons are in the home
2. Pack a bag with medications, important documents, money, keys, etc. and hide it. (see below)
3. Arrange a signal with neighbors to let them know when you need help.
4. Devise a code word to use with your children, grandchildren, friends, or others to indicate that you need the police.
5. Plan where you will go if you have to leave (even if you don't think you will need to).

WHAT TO TAKE IF YOU LEAVE

• Driver's license or other I.D.
• Birth certificates for you and your children
• Money, bank books, checkbooks, credit cards, ATM cards, mortgage payment books
• Social Security cards, insurance papers, medical records
• Abuser's Social Security number and license plate number
• Divorce and custody papers
• Copies of your protection orders or police reports
• Keys to house and car

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP...

• Make a donation to WomenSafe, Inc.
• Share information about our services.
• Become a WomenSafe volunteer
• Invite us to speak at your next association meeting or function.
• Publicize the COPEline number and WomenSafe number by placing WomenSafe brochures, posters, or other educational materials at your church or place of business (all available free fro WomenSafe)
• Plan a fundraiser for WomenSafe